Alignment issue after motor installation
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
Alignment issue after motor installation
After dropping and reinstalling the front cross member to pull and reinstall the motor now the front tires rub the inner fender liners at the outside edges when I turn. Do I need to drop the cross member and adjust something(like try to push it back) or does it just need an alignment? Stock rims and tires. Everything is factory, and there was no rubbing prior at any steering angle. It's like both tires are setting too far forward.TIA
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,435
Likes: 918
From: CONCORD NC
most cars don't have much play, if any, in the cradle alignment pins. Of course in your situation I'd loosen the 4 nuts and try pushing the cradle back. Also assuming you disconnected the UCA's as well, did you make sure any washers went back in the correct spot?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
I did disconnect the upper control arms and there were 4 washers behind each bolt, I made sure to put 4 back behind each bolt. I guess I could disconnect all 4 nuts plus loosen the uca's and push back. I suppose the best way would be to pull the intake manifold suspend the motor and cradle weight from that to push back. I tried loosening the nuts and lifting from the bottom with a jack but no give at all.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,435
Likes: 918
From: CONCORD NC
You should just abe able to loosen the cradle nuts and whack the cradle with a dead blow hammer. Honestly I doubt it’s going to move. You may want to also loosen your motor mounts so the cradle can move relative to the drivetrain also if you really think it’s forward
so your tires bay scrub when the car is lifted. Make sure you mean they are rubbing when on the ground.
so your tires bay scrub when the car is lifted. Make sure you mean they are rubbing when on the ground.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Newport News VA
You should just abe able to loosen the cradle nuts and whack the cradle with a dead blow hammer. Honestly I doubt it’s going to move. You may want to also loosen your motor mounts so the cradle can move relative to the drivetrain also if you really think it’s forward
so your tires bay scrub when the car is lifted. Make sure you mean they are rubbing when on the ground.
so your tires bay scrub when the car is lifted. Make sure you mean they are rubbing when on the ground.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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I can tell you of another potential issue. If you let the lower control arms drop far enough, or push them farther down than gravity alone will pull then down, you risk having the adjustment cams move from their original positions. This will for sure change your alignment. Happened to me, but only once, lol! After that, whenever I drop the cradle I use a yellow paint marker to draw a thin line on the adjuster and the control arm. Then, if they move somehow, you have a reference to reset them close enough to get to the alignment shop. Hope this helps......
